Beet-thinning machine



' y 9, 1929-- H. H. BO'ETTCHER 1.720.409

I BEET THINNING MACHINE Filed Feb. e, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Herman h. .BoeHchen y 9, 1929- H. H. BOETTCHER BEET THINNING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 9, 1929- H. H. BOETTCHER BEET THINNING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gwuemtoz Herma/2 H. ,Boeffaher w v'y f whom Patented July 9, 1929.

enrreo state HERMAN H. somwc sapestp time, iv ihitEsoTh, nssmnon or TWO-FIF'IHS T0 W. H. BAIRD, OF MASON CITY, IOWA.

nEEt-tmivmne MAoHin'E.

A iplication filed February 6, 1928. Serial Nd. 255:,9124.

This invention relates to improvements in beet thinning machines and more partiediarly to an improvement in the machine illustrated and described in my (to-pending ap plication tiled February 7, 1928, Serial No; 252 608 the object of. the present invention being, as in the inventionot the Cdpehding application to provide a machine Whieh will overcome the disadvantages of machines heretofore eu'iployed for this purpose and which will further present many marked ad vantages over the ordinary inaohines.

In the said t e-pending} application, as Well as in the invention of the present application, a plurality of series of blades are arranged in an endless series and motion is i mparted to the blades so that the blades which are presented to the soil, Will be traveling reiirivardly at the sainerate of speed as that at which the inaehine, in its entirety, is being advanced over the ground surface, the

invention, in each instance, embodying means.

for elleoting' lateral ti'avel of the blades so that they .will move directly transversely am-oss the tin-rows Without, however, having any movement longitudinally of the furrows and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for so supporting the blades blades may be relatively adjusted so as to be spaced apart di'fl'erent distances so as to suitably relatively space the blades of each set in accordance with the "\i'lClbl'l of the turrovv to be acted upon by the blades, the in vention likewise contemplating a relative adjustn'ient of the blades and their supporting and actuating means at op osite sides of the machine in accordance with the spacing oil relatively adjacent furrows.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a novel construction of the endless rails about which the supports for the blades are caused to travel, which arrangement will.

provide for greater stability of the blades and the supporting means,

Another object of the invention is to pro vide novel means whereby the blade assemblag 'c may be elevated and lowered with re spert to the ground surface thus adapting; the blades to be positioned at the proper elevation to act upon the beets in the tin-rows depending upon soil conditions and the depth oi the furrows.

l l hile the eecon'ipanyingg' drawings and the that companion description which is to follow, constitute a disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it Will be understobd that various changes ma be made within the scope of What is claimed.

In the accompanying dif'aiviii sp Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine embodying the invention; v

Figure 2 is a similar view, on an enlarged scale, of one side of the lnaehine;

Figure 3 is a vertical front to reai setional View taken substantiall on the line 33 of Figure 2 and illustrating the Construction and arrangement of one of the blade asseniblages;

Figure 4 is a vertical froiit to rear seetional view taken substantially on theline 4. 4: of Figure 2 looking in the direetion indiated by the art-hits and illustrating the manner in vvhieli the frame which sup bolts the blade assemblages may be raised and lowered and lilteivise illustrating the means provided for imparting travel th the blade assemblages;

Figure 5 a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 3 looking in the direetion indicated by the arrows;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan vieiv of the structure shown in Figure 5 Figure 7 is a detail veirtical transverse sectional View taken siibsiahtially on the line 7-7 of Figure 5 looking in the direetioli indicated by the arroivs;

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of Figur 2 looking in the direction indicated by the ai'iowvs;

Fig-Lite 9 is a view siiiiilzii to llig'ui e 5 illustrating slight modification of the invention.

As illustrated iii the drawings, the machine includes, in its striieture; a main fraine 1 hi eluding afiont sill 2, a rear sill 3, and side members t an'd arrahged Within this fraine 1 is an auxiliary fihll'lb st-ructiire which is in' (heated in general by the numeral 5 and which coi'hpiises front and rear frame men'ibers indictated respectively by the nuinerals 6 and 7 5 these frame ineinbers being preferably of angle iron construetioh and the ends of the lnll'lbi 6 beingbent to provide reartvardly extending side fi'an'ie portions 8 and the ends of the member 7 being bent to extend forthe rear sill 3 of the main frame 1. The other frame sectiombeyond its portion 10, is bent toextendforwardly to provide an end frame memberl l corresponding to the member 12 and extending in almement therewith and bolted or otherwise secured at its forward end as-a-t 15 to the front sill 2 of the mam frame. The frame structure 5 further includesa rectangular frame which is arranged beneath the fran'iecomprising the front and v rear members 6 and 7 and the end members 8 i and 9and'wh1ch includes front and rear members indicatedrespectively by the numerals 16' and 17, andcnd memberswhich are lndicated by the numeral 1.8, the members -1,6 and 17 beingpositioned directly beneath the front and rear members 6 and 7 of the upper section of the frame and the members 18 being positioned directly beneath the side members 8 and 9 of the upper frame section. Bearings 19 and 20 are mounted respectively p between the upper sideframe members 8 and 9v and the lower side frame member 1S,'similar bearings 21'and 22 being mounted beneath the side frame members 12 and 141-, respectively, shafts 23 and 24 being journaled respectively in the bearings 19 and 20 and in the bearings 22 and 21 in the auxiliary frame structure; Sprocket wheels 25 and 26 are mounted upon the shafts -.3 and 24 respectively, and a sprocket chain 27 is trained about the said sprocket wheels 25 and 26. A sprocketgear 28 is=also fixed upon the shaft 23 and a sprocket chain 29 is trained about this gear and about a sprocket gear 30 which is fixed upon the axle of the machine which axle is "indicated by the numeral 31. By reference to Figures 2, 4 and 8 of the drawings, it will be observed that the axle 31 is journale'd at its ends in bearings 32 which are mounted upon the side members 33 of auxiliary frames which are located at the ends of the main frame 1, each auxiliary frame being hingedly mounted at its forward end as indicated by the numeral 3t upon the under side of the front sill 2 of the main frame. The end portion of the axle 31 which extends between the bearings 32 upon the side members 33 of each auxiliary frame, supports a ground wheel indicated by the numeral 34;, the hub 35 of whichis provided at one side with rack teeth 36. A collar 37 is keyed upon the said portion of the axle for rotation therewith and at the same time is slidably adjustable upon the axle and is provided at one side with teeth 38 for eoaction with the said teeth 36, the collar 37 being held in position with its teeth engaging the teeth of the hub 35, through the medium of a tension spring 39. At this point it will be evident that the collars 37 are normally held, by the spring 39, in engagement with the hub 35 of the wheel 34, so that, as the machine is drawn over the field, the rotation of the ground wheels will effect rotation of the axle 31, and, due to the provision of the gear 30 upon the axle and the connection of this gear, by the sprocket chain 29, with the sprocket gear 28 upon the shaft 23, rotary motion will be imparted to the sprocket wheel 25 and consequently travel will be imparted to the sprocket chain 27. It will be understood that, in making turns, the inner ground wheel, at the turn, may rotate backward] y or there may be a slippage of the teeth of the collar 37 past the teeth 36 upon the hub 35 of the said wheel.

As stated, the bearings for the axle 3! are mounted upon the side members 32} of the auxiliary frames. and means is provided connected with the free rear ends of these frames and mounted upon the rear sill 3 of the main frame, for maintaining the said rear free ends of the auxiliary frames at different elevations, the means being operable to effect angular adjustment of the auxilary frames and thus provide for elevation and lowering of the main frame and the frame structure 5 which is supported within the same, so as to properly position the blades of the mach ine with respect to the ground surface. The means referred to includes a shaft -10 \vhi.-h is mounted in suitable bearings 41 upon the under side of the rear still 3 of the main frame 1, this shaft having crank ends 4-2 located in rear of the said rear or free ends of the auxiliary frames and connected thereto by links 43. A hand lever 44 is fixed at its forward end to the intermediate portion of the shaft 40, and a pawl 45 upon the lever coacts with a segmental rack 46 which is mounted upon the said sill 3 and in this mannor the lever is held in different positions of angular adjustment, it being understood at this point that by adjusting the said lever 42, the shaft 40 will be rocked so as to angular] y adjust the crank arms 42 at the ends thereof and thus effect up and down swinging adjustment of the said auxiliary frames 3;

As in the above identified. co-pending application, rods 47 are connected at their ends to the sprocket chains 27 and extendv between the same, at suitable intervals, and these rods constitute supports upon which are slidably mounted sleeves which are indicated by the numeral 48 and which support the blades of the machine, this invention differing from the invention of the said co-pending application in that, whereas in the co-pending application a pair of the blades are mounted ion llfi

upon a single one of the sleeves, in the present application there are two ofthe sleeves provided and each individually supports one of the blades. The rods 47 of course extend the entire width of the machine and between provided at its upper edge with shanks 50 which extend upwardly and through slots formed in laterally oppositely extend ing bracket arms 51 which are carried by the respective sleeve, it being observed by reference to Figures and 6 of the drawings that the bracket portions 51. of the two sleeves 48 are located at corresponding ends of the sleeves and that the relatively adjacent ends of the sleeves are spaced with respect to each other in the arrangement of the sleeves of each pair upon the respective rod 47'. The shanks 50 of the blades 49 fit slidably through the slots in the bracket extensions 51, and compression springs 52 are arrangedto bear against the under sides of the bracket portions 51 of each sleeve and against the upper edge of the respective blade 49 inwardly of the shank portions 50 the blades being in this manner yieldably held in a lowered position for operative engagement with the soil to dig and dislocato the beet or beets engaged by the blade each blade being however capable of upward yielding movement in the event rocks or other nonyieldable obstructions are encountered in the soil or in the event the soil is exceptionally hard. A brace 53 is hingedly connected at one end as at to each blade 49 and is led up wardly beneath the respective sleeve 48 and connected at its opposite end as at 55 to the said sleeve at that end thereof opposite the end at which the blade is located each blade being in this manner braced against displacement and beingyet capable of up ward yielding movement against an tension of the respective springs 52.

l. he sleeves d8 are slidable upon the rods 4i"? and in order that this movement of the sleeves may be autonnitically effected for the purpose of shifting the blades 49 transversely of the line of travel of the machine; under conditions and in a manner to be presently e1;- plained, endless rails are provided and slides are mounted fortravel over these rails and are provided with means for the connection thereto of the said sleeves 6 .8. The endless rails are indicated in general by the numeral 56 and, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, each rail includes an upper stretch 57, a lower stretch 58 which is substantially parallel to the upper stretch. 57, and curvilinear end or connecting .t-ches indicated by the numeral 59, these latter stretches extending on arcs of substantially semi-circular extent and con necting the relatively adjacent ends of the upper and lower stretches 57 and 58 of the respective rails. The rails 56 are arranged diagonally upon the frame 5 as illustrated in Figure 2', and by reference to said figure it will be "understood that in addition to the pair of rails illustrated therein, a similar pair will be located at the other side of the machine, and, drown in Figure 3 of thedrawings, the rails 56, which are of T-iron construction, are so arranged that their right angular flanges will be presented inwardly and the rails are so disposed that the edges of these flanges at the ci'irvilinear ends 59 of the rails will engage against the upper frame members (3 and 7 and lower frame members 16 and 17 of the frame structure 5, it being observed by reference to Figure 2 of the drawings that the horizontal. flanges of the frame members (3 and 7 are formed with series of openings 60 for the passage of bolts 61 which bolts are likewise ei'igaged through openings in ears (l2 fori'ned upon the said flanges of the rails at the inner edges thereof, this arrangement providing for longitudinal adjustment of the rails upon the frame members 6 and 7 and their attachment to these members in their positions o f adjustment, it being understood that the rails of each pair may be relatively adjusted toward or away from each other in accordance with the width of the furrows to be acted upon by the blades of the machine and that likewise the rails of the two pairs maybe relatively adjusted to vary the distance between the same in accordance with the relative spacing of the furrows.

.ln order that sliding movement of the sleeves l8 along the respective rods l? may be el'l'ected auton'iatically, in. the travel of the chains E37, slides, indicated in general by the numeral (33 are mounted for travel upon the rails 56 and one of these slides is associated with each of the sleeves d8 in a manner which will now be explained. Each slide comprises a platelld which is preferably of rectangular ma ginal contour and of a width equal substantially to the head of the respective rail 56, the said plate il ibcing provided at its four corners with upstanding bracket porlions G5, the bracket portions at the two sides of the plate eXten d lateral edges of the rail head. An anti-friction roller 66 is journaled at its ends in openings in the bracket members at each end of the plate 64 and the two rollers which are thus moiuited upon each of the plates 64, ride in contact with the surface of the head of the respective rail, it being observed by retrocnce to Figures and 5 of the drawings that in this inventitm the heads of the rails are presented outwardly and that theslides are mounted upon the outer sides of the rails. (lthcr anti-friction rollers 67 are mounted upon the hrael-zet portions 65 at the Q11(lSl1l)(-?1G- of and travel in contact with the inner sides of the heads of thc respective rails.

upwardly besidethe in "order nected by a pivot pin 7 5.

to relieve the lateral thrust to which the slides may be subjected and to insure of more steady and even travel of the slides along the rails, a pair of brackets 68 is mounted upon the bracket members at one side of each slide and anti-friction rollers 69 are journaled at the ends of these bracket members and ride against the outer edge of'the head of the respective rail as clearly shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. A circular plate 70 is rotatably disposed against the outer face of the plate 64 of each slide and connected at its axis to the plate 64 by a pin 71, so that the plate 70 may have rotative movement with respect to the said plate 64, the plate 64 having guide lugs 7 Qstamped therefrom and bent to extend over the periphery of the plate 70 at diametrically opposite points thereof. The plate 70 is provided at opposite sides of its axis with ears 73, and an arm 74 is provided at one end of. each of the sleeves 48 and is disposed between the said ears 7 3 and con- At this point, and by reference to Figuresh and 6 of the drawings, it will be observed that one sleeve of each pair has its arm 74 located at that end opposite the end at which the blade 49 is located, whereas, in the instance of the other sleeve, the corresponding arm is located at the same end of the sleeve at which the blade is located.

Figure 9 illustrates a" slight modification of the invention as regards theconnection between the blade supporting sleeves and the slides which travel upon the endless rails, and

inthis figure the sleeve, which is indicated by the numeral76 and which corresponds to the sleeve 48 previously described, is provided with an upstanding ear 77 located midway between its ends, and this car is pivoted as at 78 between a pair of depending ears 79 formed upon theunder side of the plate 80 which corresponds to the plate 70 of the previously described embodiment, the ears 79 corresponding to the ears 73, previously described. Otherwise the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9 is identical with that previously set the guides along the endless rails, and the gearing by means of which travel is imparted to the parts referred to, is so proportioned that the speed of travel of the blades, in a rearward direction, is precisely equal to the speed of travel of the machine, as a whole, in a forward direction, along the furrows so that, so far as movement in the line of travel of the machine is concerned, the blades are immovable with relation to the furrows. However, as the rails are diagonally disposed as stated above and the slides travel along the rails and therefore shift the sleeves 48 along the rods 47 in the direction of the intermediate points of the rods, as the slides travel along the lower stretch of each rail 56, a lateral inward motion will be imparted to the blades 49 so that the blades will move directly across the furrows on a line at right angles to the lines of extent of the furrows, thus digging through the furrows and removing the plants which are in the path of movement of the blades. It will be observed by reference to Figure 3 of the drawings that the blades are arranged in a series of groups, a sufficient number of blades being provided in each group to insure of the removal of a predetermined mnnber of plants or hills of plants as the blades of each group are caused to move across the furrows, the groups being spaced apart a distance sufiicient to provide against any disturbance of the soil in the furrows about corresponding hills in two furrows straddled by the rails of each pair, so that, as a consequence, the plants growing between two plants spaced apart a predetermined distance in the furrows, will be dug out and the said spaced plants will be left standing.

Itwill be understood from the foregoing description of the invention that, inasmuch as each blade is independently mounted upon an individual sleeve which in turn is connected by an individual one of the slides with one rail of the pair, and the said rails are adjustable with respect to each other and likewise, in unison, longitudinally of the frame bars 6 and 7, the corresponding blades of each pair of series may be spaced apart any desired distance in accordance with the width of the furrows, and, likewise, the blades of the assemblages at the opposite sides of the middle of themachine may be relatively adjusted in accordance with the spacing of the furrows.

It will furthermore be evident, from the foregoing description, that the construction of the slides provides for uniform travel of the sleeves 48 with the rods 47 by which they are supported and a uniform travel of the slides over the endless rails and particularly at the curvilinear end portions 59 thereof.

lVith reference to the arrangement of the auxiliary frames with respect to the main frame and the mounting of the axle of the machine in these auxiliary frames, it will be evident that by operating the lever 44, the main frame may be bodily adjusted with respect to the said auxiliary frames and therefore the blade assemblages may be raised or lowered with respect to the ground surface as is found necessary or desirable.

In the co-pending application, the slides to which the blade supaorting sleeves are con nected, are mounted for travel upon the inner sides of endless rails, whereas the present invention constitutes an improvement inasmuch as the slides, as will be observed by reference to Figures 3 and l of the drawings, are supported for travel upon the outer sides of said rails, and, as a consequence, the blades are not only cushioned by the springs 52, but, furthermore, any upward thrust which may be imposed upon the bladesor the slides as the latter travel along the lower, section of each rail, will be eifectually resisted inasmuch as the rollers 66 of the slides en age the said secmlztions of the rails at their upper or outer si es.

Having thus described theinvention, what I claim is: p

1. A machine of the class described comprising .a frame supported for travel,a pair of endless rails arranged parallel to each other and at anangle to the line of travel of the machine, in said frame, means connecting the rails with the frame to provide for relative adjustment of the rails transversely of the frame, blade supporting members extending transversely with respect to the rails and to the line of travel of the machine and arranged in an endless series, blades supported by said members, means for imparting motion to the series of blade supporting members and the blades carried thereby at a rate of speed such that the lower stretch of the series of members will travel in the direction opposite the direction of travel of the machine and at a rate of speed equal to the speed of 1' machine, and operative connection between said rails and said blade supporting more hers for effecting movemeutofthe members and the blades carried thereby in :a direction transverseto the line of travel ofthe machine.

2. In a machine of the class describe-d,

tween said elements, a pair of supporting members upon each of the rods, bladfis supported bysaid JT1G1I1lIJ6IS,\2tnd means-carried by each supporting member and slidably engaging a respective one of the rails for effecting .slidiau m owment of the supporting member on the respective rod.

frame supported for travel, spaced parallel endless rails supported by said frame and exten ding at anangle to the line of travel ofthe machine, means mounting the rails within the frame foradijustment with respect toeach other whereby to vary the diravel of the .3. In a machine of the class described, a

ance between the rails, endless gear elements arranged at opposite sides of the rails, means for impart ing travel to said gear elements in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the machine and at r: to of speed equal substain ti ally to the speed of travel of the machine, the gear elements traveling in planes substantially parallel to the line of travel of the machine, rods extending between said gear elements in an endless series and transversely of the rails, slides slidably mounted upon the rails, apair of sleeves mounted slidably upon each of said rods, operativeconnectionbetween each sleeve and a corresponding slide upon the respective rail, and blades carried by said sleeves, the connection of the sleeves with the respective rails and the angular disposition of the rails, with respect to the line of travel of the machine effecting lateral sliding movement of the sleeves upon each rod and the blades carried thereby in the travel of the sleeves and bladcs. y

@A machine of the class described comprising a frame supported for travel, spaced endless rails, means mounting the rails with in the frame for adjustment with respect to each other whereby to vary the distance be tween the rails, the said rails includingnpper and, lower portions and areuate connect ing portions, the said rails occupying planes parallel to each other and at ananglc to the line of travel of the machine, an endless series of rods supported for travelin unison and in position transversely of the rails, means for imparting travel. to the series of rods, a pair of support-ing, members slidably mounted upon each of the rods intermediate the rails, a blade upon each supporting memher, and operative connection between each supporting member and the respective rail for efiiecting automatic sliding movement of the supporting member alone: the respective rod in the travel of the rods about said rails,

the motion transmitting means rm: the rods operating; to impart travel to the lower stretch of the series of rods in a direction, the reverse of the direction of travel of the machine and at a rate of speed equal substan tially to the rate of speed of travel of the machine, the connectionbetwcen each supportingmember and the respective rail constituting means for effecting: lateral move ment of the respective blade transverse to the line of travel of the machine.

In a machine of the class described, a frame supported for travel, endless rails mounted in the frame and disposed in vertical parallel planes at an angle to the. line of travel of the machine, means supporting the sa d rails in the frame for relative adopposite sides of the rails, rods extending between said elements and transversely with respect to the rails, a pair of sleeves slidably mounted upon each rod, means for impartmg motion tosaid elements to effect travel of the rods, slides each including a member slidably mounted upon a respective one of the rails and a member swiveled thereto, and operative connection between the swiveled members of the slides and the respective sleeves, and a blade carried by each of said sleeves. V r

6. In a machine of the class described, a frame supported for travel, endless rails mounted in the frame in planes parallel to each other and at an angle to the line of travel of the machine, pairs of sprocket gears arranged at the opposite sides of said rails, means supporting the rails within the frame for adjustment with respect to each 7 other and with respect to the said sprocket gears, a sprocket chain trained about the gears of each pair, means for imparting rotary motion to the corresponding gear of each pair, rods carried by the chains-and extending betweenthe same and transversely with respect to the rails, a pair of sleeves I slidably mounted upon each of said rods with ing the flanges of the respective rails, a plate member swiveled upon the plate portion of the first mentioned member of each slide, operative connection between the last mentioned plate member and the end of the respective one'of the sleeves, and a blade carried by each of said sleeves.

Ina machine of the class described. a

, main frame. a frame structure mounted within the main frame. the main frame being supported for travel. the said frame structure including upper and lower front and rear longitudinally extending members, a pair'of endless rails each including a head and a continuous flange extending inwardly from the head,

' Vthe flanges being secured to the said members o f the second mentioned frame with the rails extending about said frame exteriorly thereof and with its head presented outwardly, a series of rods supported transversely of the rails, means for supporting said rods for travel about the saidv rails, sleeves mounted upon each of said rods for sliding movement, a blade carried by each of said sleeves, a slide associated with each sleeve and comprising a member having'a plate portion and side portions, the latter extending beside the opposite sides of the head of the respective rail, antisaid rails including an endless head having upper and lower relatively straight stretches and curvilinear portions extendmg between the ends of said stretches, each rail being provided upon the inner side of its head with a continuous flange, the rails being disposed to extend about the said auxiliary frame structure and beingsecured thereto in spaced relation to each other, endless chains mounted for travel at the opposite sides of the rails, means for imparting travel to said chains, rods extending between said chains and transversely with respect to the said rails, slides slidably mounted upon the outer sides of the heads of the rails to travel therealong, a pair of sleeves upon each of said rods, each sleeve having its outer end connected with a respective one of said slides, and a blade carried byea ch sleeve.

9. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, an auxiliary frame mounted within the main frame, shafts journaled in the auxiliary frame, sprocket gears upon said shafts, a sprocket chain trained about each pair of gears. a pair of endless rails disposed to surround the auxiliary frame and arranged in planes parallel to each other and at an angle to the line of travel of the machine, rods extending between the said chains and transversely of the rails, sleeves slidably mounted upon said rods, slides mounted for travel upon the rails, operative connection between the slides and sleeves, a blade carried by each sleeve, a frame hingedly mounted in the main frame at the rear thereof and at each end, an axle journaled in the last mentioned frames, a ground wheel at each end of the axle within each of the last mentioned frames, a sprocket gear upon the axle at each end thereof, a second sprocket gear upon one of the first mentioned shafts, and sprocket chains trained about the last mentioned sprocket gear upon the axle and the said first mentioned gears, and means connected with the free ends of the last mentioned frames for simultaneously angularly adjusting said frames whereby to effect raising and lowering of the main frame.

10. In a machine of the class described, a frame supported for travel, endless rails mounted in the frame and disposed in vertical parallel planes at an angle to the line of travel of the machine, endless elements supported for travel at the opposite sides of the rails, rods extending between said elements and transversely With respect to the rails, tween the bracket members and the blades and means for imparting motion to said elements yieldably holding the blades extended downto effect travel of the rods, supporting sleeves Wardly beyond the braeket members, slides 10 slidably mounted upon the rods, bracket memmounted upon the rails, and operative con- 5 bers upon the sleeves, blades having spaced neetion between the slides and the sleeves.

shanks slidably assembled with the bracket In testimony whereof I alfir; my signature. members, cushioning springs interposed be- HERMAN H. BOETTCHER. 

